Latest News From Fungicides

Just because tar spot was mostly a no-show in 2022 and 2023 doesn't mean that will be the case in 2024. Charting humidity levels can help predict if the disease will strike.

“We’re living in a world where it’s just a matter of time,” Harlan Asmus says referencing the development of resistance.

David Heublein won the conventional, non-irrigated category of the 2023 NCGA yield contest for the state. The amazing yield was grown with only one-third of the total rainfall his fields usually get in a growing season.

It’s no surprise those who chase high-yield honors set aside acres for that very purpose. However, there’s something to learn from the management practices that go into growing a record crop.

For the sixth year, Farm Journal has conducted a survey to gauge farmer use of online crop input purchasing tools. Here's what we found.

Samuel Taylor, senior analyst for farm inputs at Rabobank, shares what to watch for the fertilizer, seed and crop protection price outlook.

The company says it has three-fold benefits: long-lasting yield protection, premium disease control, and effective resistance management. 

Drone application has a lot of advantages for farmers and ag retailers, but it may not be the right choice for everyone.

The licensing agreement comes after two years of the companies conducting independent field trials. 

Corn growers in 13 states have confirmed tar spot outbreaks now. Iowa leads the pack with the disease reported in at least 36 counties. Indiana is a close second. "It’s starting to explode," one agronomist says.

“This is the earliest we’ve reported tar spot in Iowa,” says Robertson, Iowa State professor of plant pathology. She says the early detection could be due to the Tarspotter app. Here's how it works.

Flattened corn can often recover, stand and produce decent yields. Soybeans can shake off a storm and flourish, but beware spider mites in the next 10 days if temperatures stay 85-plus degrees with low humidity.

Row spacing is getting a closer look from farmers who are evaluating the practices that contribute most to soybean yield. Agronomic experts offer their insights here to help growers heading to the field this week.

With nitrogen prices increasing, growers have their minds squarely on fertilizer costs. But perhaps a better consideration for growers is how to maximize the efficiency of the nitrogen they do put down.

Before planting even starts, diseases are likely on soil residue. That includes tar spot. While many believe rainfall and temperatures are key tar spot drivers, Agronomist Missy Bauer says there's a third indicator.

10 things top executives had to say about their vision for Corteva in the near future.

Unlike the early tar spot problem farmers experienced in 2021, the disease wasn't first reported in Indiana until August this year. Darcy Telenko studies the timing of fungicide applications in battling tar spot.

Both parties agree that valid intellectual property rights are important to the industry and should be respected. Atticus will continue to offer for sale its azoxystrobin products.

“If we cut 20 seconds on every fill, and we do 50 fill ups in a day— we save 25 minutes,” Cody Ray says. “That could be another 10 acres a day.”

With tar spot’s ability to rapidly spread, agronomists fear another wave of the disease will hit the Midwest again this season.

Tar spot and southern rust are increasing concerns and require a proactive management plan. Some fungicides can mitigate these and other diseases while protecting plants from stress. Retailers can guide your decisions.

As Rob Gibson, Certis Biologicals Global Portfolio Manager, says this partnership brings together the individual strengths, and the companies hope to have product approved in the market by September 2024.

As farmers are looking to maximize crop revenue with higher commodity prices, NAAA has updated its “Find an Aerial Applicator” tool.

“We think this is a unique proactive way to assess disease risk and disease developments in the season to change the way fungicides can be applied,” says Matt Free agronomy department manager at Evergreen FS

Availability could be a challenge this season. If you can only make one application, pull the trigger between tassel and R3 in corn and between R2 and R3 in soybeans, advises Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.

This late season disease is nothing to hit the snooze button on. “This is a disease you have to pay attention to,” says Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, plant pathologist with Growmark.

Sporando early alert system is helping farmers optimize their use of fungicides.

Corn subjected to heavy rainfall can still deliver a significant yield response to a nitrogen application -- in some cases, up to 60 bu.

With the three-fold approach as a fungicide, CEO Darren Anderson says the product provides farmers with the confidence of a chemistry and the opportunities of a biological.

From a text-based poll, 28% of farmers are increasing their fungicide use in soybeans in 2021.

MiCrop Fungicide Powered by F Value Technology delivers innovation, proven performance and enhanced return on investment and will be available from Albaugh’s distribution partners and ag retailers this spring.

The company cites more than 90 Midwest field trials in 2020 showing Pacesetter plus fungicide out-yielding fungicide use alone.

Crop Tech - October 2020

A tree you’ve never heard of could be the key to a novel COVID-19 vaccine. Currently in development, this vaccine uses a compound called QS-21 from the Quillaja saponaria tree in Chile.

This new in-furrow fungicide pushes past former limits by providing more than just early-season protection, and instead protects the plant throughout the entire season.

One of the greatest barriers to growing non-GMO corn or soybeans is often the risk—what if the yields aren’t as high as your experience with traited crops?

Farm Journal Test Plot results on fungicide use and return on investment on later-planted soybeans, timing and product type.

As soon as seeds hit the ground, they’re under attack from various predators – namely fungus and disease. Analyze your seed treatments and fungicide options if infestations threaten yields.

Crop Tech - December 2019

Farm Journal Test Plots studies how foliar fungicide use increases yield.

The Farm Journal Test Plots study how foliar fungicide impacts yield and how to get the most out of the fungicide dollar.

Crop Tech - September 2019

Reuters reporting analysts at a Brazilian health agency have determined it does not cause cancer. However, that report comes as a jury in a federal court in San Francisco will soon decide if it caused a man's cancer.

“You want to invest with intent,” says Mitch Blair, BASF product manager. “If you spend a dollar you want to get three [back].”

On Thursday Corteva Agriscience, the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, announced a new novel fungicide to be named Advelt.

Certain parts of the Corn Belt experienced extreme weather and temperature conditions, leading to damaging levels of ear rot. If you’re one of those farmers be sure to test corn for Mycotoxins.

Matching yield goals to water supply lets you choose the right hybrids and populations for each management zone.

Breeding advances brought an era of advanced disease control. The future of disease tolerance will use advanced breeding with targeted approaches that help maximize corn and soybean yield potential.

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. is introducing a new tool to help farmers fight pests in a variety of crops. The fungicide, Amplitude, is approved for the 2018 season and uses the same active ingredient as Stargus.

If you’re not out in field scouting it’s time to make the trip—you might be able to preserve yield potential if you catch diseases early. Plant pathologists are seeing diseases rear their ugly heads in fields.